Partners
- KU Leuven
- FiberCore Europe BV
- 24SEA BVBA
- VolkerInfra BV
- Lineo – groupe NatUp fibres (Before Ecotechnilin)
- Universität Stuttgart
- Centre of Expertise Biobased Economy (Stichting Avans)
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Gemeente Bergen Op Zoom
- Gemeente Almere
- Gemeinde Ilsfeld
- Proesler Kommunikation
- Fibr GmbH
- Van Hattum & Blankvoort
Year
2019 – 2023
Funding
EU funding €3.93 M
Total Budget €6.86 M
More info
Smart Circular Bridge for a circular built environment
Modern research offers new opportunities
Sensor technology combined with smart computer algorithms make it feasible to equip structural components with sensors and follow their behaviour during the complete lifecycle of the structure. This is known as Structural Health Monitoring. Material behaviour is evaluated in real time. A smart sensor system evaluates sensor input and generates early warnings, before critical levels of material degradation are reached. It enables real time maintenance, fatigue monitorin and lifetime extension capabilities. In Smart Circular Bridge the unknown aspects of material-ageing are counterbalanced by the Structural Health Monitoring system. Structural safety can thus be guaranteed. This approach will significantly accelerate resource efficiency in infrastructure.
Today’s material use in construction industry
The construction industry needs to make a shift in material use. However, reliable alternative solutions for improving material efficiency and natural resource use are lacking. Dutch municipalities maintain over 12.000 pedestrian and cyclist bridges. 41% are in a poor to very bad shape. Germany shows similar figures. Within the NWE territory 0.5 % replacement per year of just these bridges, equals to 95.000 tons per year of primary raw material use.